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2015 We hope our website will continue to be a convenient way for all our patients to have instant access to up to date information about our practice, and offer a convenient way to order repeat prescriptions, change your personal details, print off travel vaccination requests, and email your comments – please remember complaints can only be handled through the practice in-house complaint system, details of which are at reception. When ordering prescriptions on the website, please note that medication you have been given before which has not been authorised as ‘repeat medication’ will be classified as ‘acute re-issue’ – these medications are reviewed by the doctor before every issue. From 1 April 2013 orders for ‘Repeat’ and ‘Acute Re-issue’ prescriptions will be ready for collection 48 working hours after the order is received. STAFF TRAINING AFTERNOONS The next proposed training afternoon is 23rd September 2015. We will be closing at 1.30 pm that day – please make sure you collect prescriptions etc before 1 pm. After 1.30 pm on that day, for urgent medical matters which cannot wait until we re-open please phone Western Urgent Care – 028 71 865195 CARING FOR CARERS The practice is trying to identify those of you who are carers so we can offer help and support where we can. If you look after someone who is ill, frail, disabled or mentally ill, please ask at reception for a form, or email us using the ‘contact us’ comments button on the website to let us know your details. (We ask for your name, address, date of birth, contact number and any other relevant information, and the same details of the person you care for, including their GP if it is different from your own) APPOINTMENTS When a patient rings the surgery to request a same day assessment by the GP they may be offered a telephone triage assessment with a GP. The GP will decide if an emergency appointment is needed or if another course of action is more appropriate. On occasions the receptionist will ask for some details to prioritise all bookings, this information is held in the strictest confidence and only shared with the GP. Bank and Public Holiday closures The practice will be closed on the following dates: Friday 25th December Monday 28th December When we are closed please phone Western Urgent Care on 028 71 865 195 for urgent medical matters only which cannot wait until the surgery reopens. Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme This year all diabetic patients will be offered diabetic retinopathy screening and your invite letter will be sent directly from the screening service in Belfast, therefore it will not be possible for the practice to reschedule appointments. If you feel you should have been sent an appointment for eye screening, and haven’t received one by the end of the year – please contact Julie Higginbottom, Practice Manager. Flu vaccination campaign 2015/16 This year our flu vaccination campaign will commence on 1st October. Patients over 65, those with an underlying medical condition which places them at risk including patients with a BMI greater than 40, pregnant ladies, carers and all pre-school children over 2 (DOB 02/7/2011 – 01/09/2013) will be invited to attend for vaccination. If you do not receive an appointment over the next six weeks, or were unwell at the time of your allocated appointment and you wish to have a flu vaccination please contact the surgery to make an appointment. Shingles Vaccination – This year all patients aged 70 and 78 years on 1/9/15 will be offered the shingles vaccine along with their flu vaccine. Patients aged 71, 72 and 79 who had been eligible during the first two years of the campaign remain eligible if they have not yet received the vaccine. About 1 in 4 people develop shingles during their lifetime and this one-off vaccination reduces the chances of developing shingles, but if even if you do develop shingles then the disease is likely to affect you less severely. See leaflet in practice for further information. MINOR AILMENTS SCHEME Why wait to see your GP when you can go straight to your local pharmacy? The pharmacists are trained to deal with a number of minor ailments and you will receive quick, expert advice without unnecessary delays in waiting for a prescription to be processed by your GP. This service is free of charge! Ailments covered are: Athlete’s foot Cold sores Diarrhoea Ear Wax Groin Area Infection (Dhobie itch) Head Lice Mouth Ulcers Oral Thrush Threadworms Vaginal Thrush To use this service, patients need to describe their symptoms to the pharmacist and the pharmacist will offer the appropriate treatment, and give advice for further management. The Practice is encouraging patients to use this service as it will free up time for the Practice to deal with other matters. BOWEL CANCER SCREENING & ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (AAA) SCREENING PROGRAMMES - ONGOING Whilst the doctors are not directly involved in the screening process, they encourage all patients to take part in these very worthwhile programmes. DRINK WISE AGE WELL is a lottery funded project available through the WHSCT which offers expert advice on healthier drinking for the over 50s. This programme offers tailored advice and support either in your home or in a community setting and can also offer support for family members. Please speak to a GP, contact the team on 02871 160236 or visit drinkwiseagewell.org.uk. FREE SMOKING CESSATION SUPPORT Smoking cessation support and advice is available both from the GP and local pharmacies please see leaflets in practice or speak to your community pharmacist. Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.